Moistener.



Patented Dec. 28,V 1909.

6 oo MA www@ TH/VEYS J. H. BORDEAUX.

MOISTENBR.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 25, 1909.

I l/l//T/VESSES UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

J DHN HENRY BORDEAUX, OF J'OLIET, ILLINOIS.

MOISTENER.

To all whom it may concern:

The invention may be defined as consist ing of two telescoping box sections closed at their outer ends, one of the box sections constituting a cover for the box, a sponge .or other absorbent body filling the other box section and projecting a slight distance beyond the open end thereof, and a reticulated member to prevent the projecting end of the absorbent body from being pressed into the box section which carries it, seating on the closed end of this section of the box and struck or embedded into the body closely adjacent to the opposite open end of the box section.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure l is a perspective view of amoistener embodying my invention, showing the same as used for moistening the gummed edge of an envelop; Fig. Q is a longitudinal section through the moistener on the line 2 2 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 3 is a similar section of the moistener on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2.

In the construction of the moistener I employ two closely-fitting telescoping box sections, an inner section 5 and an outer section G, respectively, the section 6 constituting a cover for the box and when assembled with the section 5, seating ou a bead or shoulder 7 of the latter, stamped therein near the center of the box; and the inner box section 5 which constitutes the body of the box is filled with a. close-fitting sponge or other absorbent body 8, the latter extending from the closed end of this section of the box and projecting a slight distance beyond its opposite and open end in order that the edges of the box will not rub the surface which is moistened.

To prevent the projecting end of the ab- Speccation of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 25, 1909.

Patented Dec. 28, 1909.

serial No. 479,890. A

sorbent body from being pressed within the box section 5, a reticulated member or sheet 9 seats on the closed end of the box section 5 and is struck or embedded into the body adjacent to the open end of this section of the box, for which purpose the member is turned at substantially right-angles at its upper end portion to extend across the absorbent body for the greater part of its thickness.

In practice I preferably make the member 9 of spring` brass wire net and arrange it Hat against one face of the absorbent body, the whole being inserted in the box section 5 when the outer or upper end portion of the net is applied. The reticulated nature of the member 9 admits of the free passage of the moisture from the side of the box through the meshes, and by reason of the spring character of the wire, the projecting end portion of the absorbent body when jpressed inwardly, as when applying itl to a gummed surface, will be immediately returned to normal position when the pressure is removed by the resiliency of the embedded portion of the reticulated member.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

l. In a moistener, two telescoping box sections, each closed at its outer end, one of the box sections constituting a cover and the other box section constituting the body of the box, an absorbent body filling the body section of the box and projecting beyond the open end lthereof, and a reticulated member having a portion struck into the absorbent body closely adjacent to the open end of the body section of the box to support the projecting end of the absorbent body.

2. In a moistener, a box body closed at one end, an absorbent body substantially filling the box body and projecting beyond the open end thereof, and a reticulated sheet arranged fiat against one face of the absorbent body, said sheet seating at one end on the closed end of the box body and at its opposite end struck into the absorbent body to support the projecting portion thereof.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN HENRY BORDEAUX.

Witnesses MARY MAHER, CHAs. G. PEARCE. 

